My small family don't seem to care. My aunt makes an effort but I don't think she knows what to say in various situations. My 16 year old niece has empathy but obviously not the life experience. As for my brother, he only does what he's allowed to do (by controlling wife!)

When someone asks about your life, it can be difficult to work out whether they mean it or not. I have a good (male) friend. We've never met in person but he's had to remind me on more than one occasion "when I ask how you are, I want to know how you really are". I'm more open with him than anyone in my family.

It's an individual's choice how to deal with this. Family traits can influence how you interpret someone's interest (or lack of it). My mother's neighbour usually listens for about two minutes when asking how she is, then proceeds to turn the conversation to everything about her. Is that genuine interest; no. That's my take on it